nicotinic

adjective

nic·​o·​tin·​ic ˌni-kə-ˈtē-nik How to pronounce nicotinic (audio) -ˈti- How to pronounce nicotinic (audio)
: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects produced by nicotine on nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses
nicotinic receptors
compare muscarinic

Examples of nicotinic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Neuroscientist Janna Moen, PhD, never expected her doctoral research on nicotinic receptor pharmacology to intersect so closely with her health. Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024 Since cytisine binds particularly well to a type of nicotinic receptor called α3β4, the researchers figured that receptor might be the major player in decreasing appetite. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011 The researchers first observed that mice given nicotine or the drug cytisine, which binds to some nicotinic receptors in the brain, ate less and had less body fat than mice not given either drug. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011 The addiction-fighting medication acts on proteins called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are the same neurological buttons that tobacco products push. Aaron Rowe, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2007

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nicotinic was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near nicotinic

Cite this Entry

“Nicotinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicotinic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

nicotinic

adjective
nic·​o·​tin·​ic ˌnik-ə-ˈtē-nik How to pronounce nicotinic (audio) -ˈtin-ik How to pronounce nicotinic (audio)
: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects that are produced by acetylcholine liberated by nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle and that are mimicked by nicotine which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses
nicotinic receptors
compare muscarinic
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